Will this work?

Catalytic · #1 08/04/11, 04:52 PM

Pretty sure we are going to get a Dexter heifer, due any day. She's about 75 miles away. Having problems finding a trailer, so I'm wondering if I could craft something to go on my lawnmower trailer that would work?

She's about 36" tall, no idea of weight.

Could i take a cattle panel and bend into into a square, making one side a gate, and strap it to my lawnmower trailer? (OK, let me clarify, i know I CAN do that, but would it be safe for her, would it contain her?)

G. Seddon · #2 08/04/11, 05:06 PM

Ummmmm, what are you planning to do if she goes into labor?

What you are describing is inviting problems. This does not sound safe or secure. Transport is stressful for cattle, even for 90 minutes or so.

Why not wait until she has the calf (safely in a familiar environment), give it a few weeks to stabilize, then arrange for transport in a stock trailer?

Catalytic · #3 08/04/11, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Ummmmm, what are you planning to do if she goes into labor?

What you are describing is inviting problems. This does not sound safe or secure. Transport is stressful for cattle, even for 90 minutes or so.

Why not wait until she has the calf (safely in a familiar environment), give it a few weeks to stabilize, then arrange for transport in a stock trailer?

If she were to go into labor, we'd be having a calf on the side of the road, eek!

According to the owner (when I asked what heavy bred meant) they could calve at any time, their udders are bagged. (He has two, I would only be buying one) I will ask further to see if maybe she might still be a few weeks away, he's been very good about answering my "silly" questions. How far along in pregnancy would be safe to move her? I do not know if he can keep her any longer, I will find that out. He DOES have a trailer and is willing to bring her to me, I just thought it was kinda silly for me to go all the way to him to look them over and then have him come all the way here to deliver, so I was trying to save one of us some gas, that's why i was wondering about a makeshift trailer to haul her. If it is safer for her in a normal trailer, then i would go that route instead, and if I need to wait and he is willing, I will do that, too. TY for your advice!

MO_cows · #4 08/04/11, 06:31 PM

How stressful the move is will somewhat depend on the temperament of the heifer. The more high-strung they are, the more they will stress out. But the safest thing to do is wait until after she calves to move her. We have hauled calves as young as a week old on a 3-hour trip with no harm done.

Rent or borrow a real trailer. Or hire a livestock mover. I don't think you can attach any fence to a lawnmower trailer that would be nearly safe or secure enough. We have a "real" stock trailer and our cows have broken the hinge on the divider gate before. They are very, very strong for their size.

Catalytic · #5 08/04/11, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_cows

How stressful the move is will somewhat depend on the temperament of the heifer. The more high-strung they are, the more they will stress out. But the safest thing to do is wait until after she calves to move her. We have hauled calves as young as a week old on a 3-hour trip with no harm done.

Rent or borrow a real trailer. Or hire a livestock mover. I don't think you can attach any fence to a lawnmower trailer that would be nearly safe or secure enough. We have a "real" stock trailer and our cows have broken the hinge on the divider gate before. They are very, very strong for their size.

A goat friend has offered the use of her trailer, I'm waiting to hear back if it's a gooseneck or bumper pull. (I don't have a goose hitch) I wouldn't mind AT ALL leaving her with the owner until after calving, because he obviously has cattle experience and I don't, so he would be better prepared should there be any birth problems.

Catalytic · #6 08/04/11, 06:42 PM

Dumb ?, if I wait til after calving, will the calf need a separate health certificate? The cattle are in GA and I'm in AL, I know they need a health cert to cross state lines, but I didn't think to ask the Ag guy if a calf needs a separate one.

copperhead46 · #7 08/04/11, 06:42 PM

You risk a lot by hauling an animal in a rigged up trailer. If she get a little upset, you will have a cow out on the highway, possible causing a wreck, surley killing or crippling her and you will have all the liability. I don't think it's worth the risk. They can go over or through a fence panel pretty easily, they can see the traffic and its scary, for sure. Let him deliver her, it's well worth it in the long run.
Good luck.

G. Seddon · #8 08/04/11, 07:09 PM

Catalytic, here's the info on importing animals into AL:

http://www.agi.alabama.gov/animal_im...-importing-a-z)

If I were you, I'd call the AL state vet's office (334-240-7253) and ask what is required to ship a cow (and calf) from GA to AL. Some states are TB and brucellosis free so may not require any testing; others require testing before cattle can be shipped there. I doubt that a calf would need any testing (it would probably travel under the cow's health papers), but you can ask.

Some other things to consider, for your own peace of mind:

Is this a heifer having her first calf? If so, I'd recommend letting her calve where she is (and the seller, if he cares about his cattle, will agree).

Was this AI (more reliable due date) or pasture bred (could be weeks off).

Even if you have to pay the seller to transport in a stock trailer, they will be much safer in that than a homemade trailer. I know fuel is expensive, but the welfare of the animals is worth it.

Is this your first cow? Have a safe, small enclosure with shade, water, and hay for them when you get them home so you can monitor their feed intake and manure output. A new location presents a whole new set of bacteria to a cow and calf.

Good luck with your little Dexter(s)! And post photos!

Catalytic · #9 08/04/11, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Catalytic, here's the info on importing animals into AL:

http://www.agi.alabama.gov/animal_im...-importing-a-z)

If I were you, I'd call the AL state vet's office (334-240-7253) and ask what is required to ship a cow (and calf) from GA to AL. Some states are TB and brucellosis free so may not require any testing; others require testing before cattle can be shipped there. I doubt that a calf would need any testing (it would probably travel under the cow's health papers), but you can ask.

Some other things to consider, for your own peace of mind:

Is this a heifer having her first calf? If so, I'd recommend letting her calve where she is (and the seller, if he cares about his cattle, will agree).

Was this AI (more reliable due date) or pasture bred (could be weeks off).

Even if you have to pay the seller to transport in a stock trailer, they will be much safer in that than a homemade trailer. I know fuel is expensive, but the welfare of the animals is worth it.

Is this your first cow? Have a safe, small enclosure with shade, water, and hay for them when you get them home so you can monitor their feed intake and manure output. A new location presents a whole new set of bacteria to a cow and calf.

Good luck with your little Dexter(s)! And post photos!

OK, talked to the owner a little bit ago, he is going to bring her probably Saturday, that way if by some fluke she goes into labor, she has someone experienced to help if there is a problem. (He's not charging much for the trip, so that isn't a concern at all, just hate to put someone else out)

He frequently brings cattle to a nearby auction, so he's familiar with the requirements between AL and GA and will take care of that with his vet tomorrow.

She is a pasture-bred heifer, so an unknown due date. He said his mini-Hereford bagged up two months before delivery last year, so it could be a bit before we see a calf still.

She will be our first cow, and we've only had goats a couple of months so we are green. My tenant has experience with cows, so we are somewhat prepared if we run into trouble with calving, and the KAFC forum is helping me get a list of stuff to have together for "just in case." Jeffers is fairly close to me, so I don't have to wait for things to ship to me.

I have a 25' by 40' roughly "barn" for them, if I need to make it smaller, I can put some stalls in, would you recommend that? I plan to keep her inside for a couple of days to try to make friends, and to train her to electric, if she isn't already. Have waterers for her, and have plenty of hay, but should I use straw or hay for her bed? The floor of her enclosure is sand.

Forgot to say, I am SOOOOO excited!

bruce2288 · #10 08/05/11, 03:42 AM

Your excitement made me smile. thank you.

**gone-a-milkin** · #11 08/05/11, 10:24 AM

Congrats on her. Be sure to show us some pics when she arrives.